Jean Charest set to announce Quebec construction inquiry

QUEBEC — The Quebec government is about to announce a public inquiry into allegations of pervasive corruption that have created a climate of widespread anger with politicians in the province.

The anticipated announcement this afternoon comes after two years of persistent reports of corruption involving the construction industry, political parties and crime groups like the Mafia.

These actors are all alleged participants in a multi-faceted scheme that stuffs the coffers of the political parties, gangs, and construction companies — but fleeces Quebec taxpayers.

Analysts have cited such malfeasance as one reason the province spends as much as one-third extra per construction project than other jurisdictions.

Premier Jean Charest, who has been meeting with his cabinet, is set to make an announcement at 5 p.m. at a hotel across the street from the provincial legislature. Reporters will be given a 45-minute briefing beforehand on technical details of the inquiry.

One Liberal legislator who had demanded an inquiry, Henri-Francois Gautrin, emerged from the meeting to say he was satisfied with what he had heard.

Demands for an inquiry began in 2009 amid reports of rampant corruption in the construction industry, and also illegal political contributions from well-connected businessmen.

Until now, Charest has brushed aside the requests, saying the problems were being addressed by a new anti-corruption unit, and by the introduction of reforms to political financing and municipal contracting.

The premier’s opponents appear poised to criticize Charest — regardless of what he announces.

The premier has hinted strongly that the juiciest part of any inquiry, the portion with testimony on criminal schemes, would be held behind closed doors.

There are also reports he may not grant the inquiry judge full subpoena powers, apparently because evidence gathered under forced testimony could harm police investigations.

The Opposition said Quebecers have been demanding a public, transparent, wide-ranging inquiry.

“Will it be a real mandate that will shed light on everything?” Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois asked in the the legislature Wednesday morning.

“Will the mandate be the same one that has been proposed many times here, in the national assembly?”

Charest retorted that his opponents would be impossible to please.

“The leader of the official Opposition is demonstrating that, whatever the government does, she’ll simply disagree,” the premier said.

“But she could at least tell us, because I’m asking for the third time: …Does she agree that we should protect evidence, the ability to lay charges and protect witnesses?”